Of wandering guardians and summoning arts.
Chapter 2.
By: Kin-Ryu Chikara
This is a fan fiction based on the ps2 game Final Fantasy X and X-2. I have no rights to this game, names or characters from the game. That right belongs to Squaresoft. This story is based on the game and may differ slightly from the game play.
"Regular speech"
'thought'
"Song."
Monotype Corsiva is Al Bhed translated to usual language.
(A/N: my notes during the story. Stands for author's notes)
After our rather sparse breakfast, we headed off again. We reached the gates and saw Dona getting turned down by the guards. We was about to turn back when a crusader came up to us, bowed and turned to Yuna. "Lady Yuna, Maester Seymour has given orders to let you and your guardians trough. Follow me please." The crusader then started walking with us in tow behind him. We didn't speak after Tidus tried to ask the crusader about this operation. We only learned it was an operation to defeat Sin without a summoner.
When Seymour made his speech to the crusaders about having faith in their path, Wakka became slightly angry.
"Why is Maester Seymour supporting them? They are violating the teachings by using Al Bhed machina. It's not right." He said
"They will risk going against the teachings for the greater good." Yuna said.
"And remember Wakka. Sin isn't right either." I added.
"But he can't support them. Why should he?" Wakka said puzzled
"Ask him yourself." Auron said as Seymour came over to us.
Seymour stopped and greeted Auron before turning towards Yuna.
"Sir Auron must be a good to have as a guardian." Seymour said. Yuna stiffened and said: "Your Grace" with a slight bow. Seymour waved his hand and said that formalities were of no need. Wakka walked hesitantly next to Seymour and asked shyly: "Excuse me. Maester Seymour, why is your Lordship…presently…present here…sir?"
"Please, speak as you normally would." Seymour said. Wakka nodded.
"Isn't this operation violating the teachings? Aren't you going to stop them?" Wakka said with his usual vigour.
Seymour nodded and said: "It's true…I should. But both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed wish peace for Spira, and thus I will not interfere. And I, as a person and denizen of Spira, wish them well in their endeavour. But I think you should ask that question to Lord Salmar as well."
Wakka and the others turned to me, extremely curious for what secret from my dark past which would surface now. I mentally rolled my eyes.
"Well? Why should we ask you?" Tidus said, a little impatient.
I kept silent and Seymour sighed. "Lord Salmar is highly respected by both the Crusaders and the Al Bhed. He has helped both of them on numerous occasions. I am sure that if Salmar really wanted, he could stop this operation." Seymour explained and I shook my head.
"No, I can't. It is true that I have helped them a lot, and the Crusaders owe me plenty of favours. How ever, the favours the Al Bhed owed me were paid back about three years ago, when they helped me find my brother and sister and fight a battle there. I can pull favours and get the Crusaders to back of, but not the Al Bhed. So I can't do that, and besides I am under the same impression as your Lordship." I said and bowed to Seymour.
"I wonder when we will learn all there is to learn about you, Salmar." Tidus said cheerfully. I darkened and said: "Let's hope that never happens. It would be a shame for you to lose your sleep over my past. But I think we should go to the command centre now, or what does your Lordship say?"
Seymour nodded and we walked towards where the operation was organised from. On the way we encountered a lot of fiends which I insisted to Seymour that he let us handle. He did after a bit of persuasion, but soon looked quite interested in how I and Yuna fought. When I broke a fiend's neck with my bare hands, Seymour raised an eyebrow and said: "I have never seen a summoner fight quite so physically. No doubt that is because of your past Lord Salmar."
I nodded. "Yes Maester. I may be a summoner, but I was trained to fight with my body. I know how to fight with magic and have over the years grown strong there as well, but it feels like a relief when I can do something with my body instead of just standing from afar and waving my staff." I said and clenched my fist.
"I see. Well, just make sure your magic doesn't suffer from it." Seymour said and I nodded. "Yes your Lordship." I said. Then I sensed something behind me and turned around. A dragon type fiend jumped at Yuna. "Yuna get down!" I yelled and jumped, pushed her out of the way. The fiend hit me in the chest, knocking me backwards. One of the Guado guards following Seymour grabbed me and I saw Auron chop off the fiends head.
"Are you okay?" Yuna asked me, kneeling next to me to check for injuries.
"I thought…that…guardians were supposed…to actually guard." I said gasping for air. At least three of my ribs were broken. Wakka, Lulu and Tidus looked guilty, Auron looked a little disappointed in himself while Kimahri looked…concerned.
"Lady Yuna, do you know enough white magic to heal him?" Seymour asked.
"Yes, I think so." Yuna said and did the spell to fix me. I groaned slightly but was happy to be breathing easily again.
Yuna looked at me with concern in her eyes. "You didn't have to do that." She just said. I shook my head slightly. "You're wrong. I had to. I won't let any of my friends get hurt. Not when I can do something about it. But don't worry. Your spell fixed me up. Now, shall we continue?" I said and smiled at her. She nodded and helped me up.
Seymour looked at me with a weird expression as I passed.
We arrived at the lift leading up to the command centre a little while later. Luzzu and Gatta were having a conversation and after Gatta ran of, we went to talk to Luzzu. He told Wakka that he was the one to convince Chappu, Wakka's little brother and Lulu's boyfriend, to become a Crusader, leading him to his death. Wakka punched Luzzu and yelled at him. Then he said that Chappu had told him he would propose to Lulu when they won the blitzball tournament. But then he joined the Crusaders and died. Luzzu said Chappu had joined to keep Sin away from his girl.
I smiled at that. 'Chappu was an honourable man.' I thought, but didn't say anything.
Then Luzzu left, Yuna tried to stop him, but Auron stopped her. Luzzu left to fight in the operation.
We passed a lot of canons on our way to the centre. Wakka kicked one and hurt his foot. I shook my head is I walked past him, throwing a potion to him so he could heal his foot.
We then arrived at the command centre, where a lot of Crusaders and Al Bhed where gathered and put a lot of Sinspawn in a big cage.
As we walked towards where Maester Kinoc was, I got a weird feeling.
"This isn't going to go good. I have a bad feeling about this." I said. Only Tidus heard me and he gulped audibly.
When we arrived, Maester Kinoc greeted us, especially Auron. He was about to say something when Gatta came and said the troops where ready. Kinoc nodded. "Sorry my friend, but it's time to work. I'll see you later, after we beat Sin." Kinoc said and left us.
"This is not going to go good." I said again.
Then it started. First the cage with the Sinspawn broke and one of them attacked us. The Sinspawn was really tough, but when we had beaten it, the real enemy appeared. Sin had come. The Crusaders fired their canons at it, but it didn't even flinch. As the Chokobo knights charged, I knew they were dead.
"Stupid. Sin doesn't even flinch from the canons. They can't win." I said and Auron nodded. Yuna looked at us and said: "You two are the most experienced fighters here. What should we do?"
I looked at her with sad eyes and said: "Stay here, perhaps close our eyes, fight any Sinspawn that comes here and send the dead after this is over. Neither of us is strong enough to make a difference here. It is cruel and cold, but our survival comes first."
Yuna nodded and turned to watch the battle. "I still wish we could do something." She said. I laid a hand on her shoulder, as now was my habit when comforting her, and remained silent. What I didn't know was that Lulu and Wakka smiled slightly seeing that.
"Look out" Auron cried and we dived for cover. Sin covered itself with some sort of energy field and sent it out towards the fighting Crusaders. When the field hit the people, they just vaporised. Literary. I looked at the display of power and said: "How horrible. That attack is so horrible."
Yuna was glad she hadn't looked.
Then a Sinspawn attacked Seymour and Yuna rushed to help.
"Stand back Lady Yuna. Lord Salmar, would I have the pleasure of fighting alongside you?" Seymour said. Both Yuna and I nodded and I readied myself. Seymour launched Fira spells while I launched Blizzara spells. Yuna joined in with Watera while Auron fought with his sword. The rest of our company was unconscious. At least I thought they were. But between Seymour, Yuna, Auron and me, the Sinspawn soon fell. Then Yuna ran to find the others, but stopped as Sin and the Al Bhed's machina fought. It looked like the machina was strong enough for a while, but then Sin used more power and the machina was destroyed. Neither I nor Yuna noticed Seymour's looks towards Yuna. Yuna was horrified by Sin's power, while I was disgusted by it. Then it just turned and went away. I could briefly see Tidus run after it.
"Damn, what is he doing?" I asked and jumped down on the beach, running after him.
I was able to grab him before he could get close enough to be affected by Sin's toxin, and brought him back to the shore. He was unconscious but fine otherwise. Then Yuna and I started the long process of sending all the dead. It was too many for us to send together and I was kind of nervous for my first sending alone. 'All this death. Sin will pay' I thought as I danced.
When I was finished, I sat down against a rock and used a sword I found to write something in the rock. When I stood up I placed the sword under the writing.
"Upon this battleground, the Crusaders and the Al Bhed tried to kill Sin. They died trying to create a world of peace for us. Let's not let their sacrifice be in vain. Honour those that died to destroy Sin and bring peace and happiness to Spira."
I stood beside Yuna when Seymour came and talked to us.
"You don't look so well Lady Yuna. But you must be the people's strength, their confidence. Now more than ever. Everyone else would be expected to show their sorrow, but you are a summoner, Spira's hope. You have to remain strong so that the people can lean on you for strength as well. Do you understand?" Seymour said. Yuna nodded. "Yes, I understand." Yuna replied. Seymour nodded and asked: "Yuna, are you afraid?"
Yuna didn't answer but nodded.
"Yuna, take me as your pillar of strength, as Lady Yunalesca had her Lord Zaon." Seymour said. Yuna smiled at him, obviously not understanding the hidden meaning to the words.
"Lady Yuna, until next we meet, farewell." Seymour said and left. But as he walked by me, he laid a hand on my shoulder and said: "You are strong Lord Salmar. Keep up the good work and I am sure you will defeat Sin. Farewell." I simply bowed in reply.
When we came to the crossroad between Djose and the Moonflow, Tidus asked if we were close to Zanarkand. Lulu told him about our route. Tidus proposed that we skip some of the journey.
"No, that won't do. We need to pray at every temple in order to earn the final summoning." I said.
"That is a summoners training. They have to prepare their mind and body, all for the final summoning." Wakka said. Yuna and I smirked at each other. We had trained a lot together and both were a lot stronger than when we fought the Chokobo eater.
Tidus asked if it was tough. "I'll be fine with you here!" Yuna said, and I laughed while walking towards the temple.
The temple opened and Tidus responded by an "awesome"
'Another summoner must be in there' I thought as we headed towards the entrance.
Inside the temple, we encountered another summoner, but not Dona as Tidus feared. It was a male with two guardians, one very young.
"I must apologise, but may I ask your name?" the summoner asked Yuna.
"I am summoner Yuna, from the island of Besaid." Yuna said bowing. The other summoner then turned to me. "And you?"
"I am summoner Salmar, trained in the temple of Besaid." I said, also bowing.
"I am Isaaru. I am a summoner like you." The man said, bowing. His guardians introduced themselves as Pacce and Maroda.
"Why don't the three of us race to see who can defeat Sin first?" Isaaru said smiling. I nodded while smiling myself.
"Very well. I accept you challenge." Yuna said smiling also.
Isaaru then left and we headed into the cloister of trials.
While Yuna was inside the chambers of the fayth, Dona and her guardian came. Barthello talked a bit with Auron, but I didn't listen.
When Yuna came out of the chamber, Dona started talking about how Yuna owed much to her father. I walked up to Dona, looked into her eyes, and while my friends could not see my eyes, they could see how Dona's colour drained from her face.
"If you continue to speak like that, be prepared to meet me without restraints. Yuna may have inherited much from her father, but she deserves all of it. Now get out of my face before something bad happens." I said, and Dona scrambled away. Barthello looked at Auron before running after his summoner.
I turned to Yuna and gave her a smile before heading into the chamber myself.
Just as I entered the chamber I could hear Dona again. 'Does that woman ever stop?' I thought. "No" the fayth replied and I smiled.
After finishing praying, and receiving the next aeon, Ixon, I went outside and we rented some beds at the inn. Sadly the inn was full so Yuna and I were offered beds inside the temple. But the temple was also full of people, so Yuna and I had to share a room. We stayed up for a long time healing the injured and sending the dead before we had to go to bed out of exhaustion. Neither of us fell asleep right away however.
"Salmar?" Yuna asked.
"Hum? Yes?" I replied, turning to look at her.
"What you said to me on the Mi'hen old road, do you still mean it?" Yuna asked, not meeting my eyes.
"Of course. Why should I change my opinion?" I asked, slightly confused.
"Nono, it wasn't what I meant. What I meant was that, do you feel something for me?" Yuna said. I could swear that I saw her blush. But I probably did too.
"Yes, I think so. I have never felt what I feel for you before. I have worked together with a lot of people, and I have hated some, cared about some, but no one have made me feel like you do. Is that a bad thing?" I said, looking at her curiously.
Yuna shook her head. "No, I feel something for you too, but I don't know what. But I am worried. I think Tidus feels something for me too. If he does, I don't know what I should do." She said sadly.
"I know. Follow your hearth." I said cheerfully.
"What?" Yuna said and looked at me, confusion clear in her eyes.
"If you feel something for either Tidus or me, and you feel you have to pick one of us, pick the one that you feel the most for. I want you to be happy, and I am willing to bet that Tidus also wants you to be happy. Just remember that what ever you do, I will always support you, as long as you follow your hearth." I said, closing my eyes and smiling. In truth I did want her to be happy, but I also wanted her to pick me. I would never say that though.
Yuna slowly sat up in her bed and held my gaze.
"Do you love me?" she asked seriously. My eyes widened. 'Do I? I think so, but perhaps it is too early to tell.'
"I don't know. It may be a crush or something like that. I don't know, since I have never really been romantically with anyone. Why do you ask?" I said in my usual happy voice
Yuna looked down. "I…I don't know. I have also never been romantically with anyone, and have never felt what I feel for you and Tidus before. I think we should continue as usual until one of us finds out what these feelings are. What do you say?" she said as she looked up again. I nodded. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. But I think we need our rest right now. Good night Yuna."
"Good night Salmar"
When I woke up about an hour after falling asleep, I got up and found Gatta standing in front of a statue, tears running down his face.
I walked over to him unnoticed and laid a hand on his head.
"It's okay to cry. Really." I simply said. Gatta looked up at me and snivelled.
"Should I? What would Luzzu think?" he asked.
"He would not want you to hold back your feelings and cripple yourself. Here. Sometimes it is better to cry on someone's shoulder. Don't worry, just let it all out." I said and hugged the younger man. He stiffened before the tears began to flow freely. He cried for a good fifteen minutes before the tears stopped and he started sobbing instead. I released him and looked into his eyes. "Gatta, Luzzu insisted that you guard the command centre because he knew you might get killed if you fought in the front line. He cared about you and wanted you to live on. Honour that, and live a good life. Now I am sorry, but I must go. I have sendings to perform, and Crusaders to heal. Poor Lady Yuna is exhausted and I decided to take her share as well. Take care, and if you need anything, come seem me, okay?" I said, and when he nodded I gently patted his head and walked away to heal some injured.
Several hours later, the injured Crusaders had been reduced to a bare minimal, and the monks could handle the rest. When I finished sending, I was dead tired. I stumbled over to my bed, and didn't even bother to aim where I fell. Unfortunately I hit the edge of the bed and promptly rolled of onto the floor, where I fell asleep.
The next thing I knew was feeling something grabbing my hands and feet and lifting me into my bed. I opened one eye to see Kimahri, who looked at me, and I think he tried to smile.
"Salmar must not sleep on floor. Bad for body." He said. I smiled and nodded. "Thanks Kimahri." I said and fell asleep again.
When I woke up again, I heard Tidus talking to a nun standing in our room.
"They were up late last night, healing the injured and sending the dead. They went to sleep about five hours ago, but Lord Salmar rose an hour after that and continued his work. They must be exhausted." The nun said.
"I guess I better let them sleep for now then." Tidus said, but then Yuna groaned and started to get up.
"Good morning." Tidus said cheerfully.
"What? Morning. Oh, I'm so sorry." Yuna said and from what I could hear jumped out of bed. "Sorry, oh so sorry. I'll be ready in just a minute. Hey Salmar, wake up. We should head out." Yuna continued. The nun apparently waved her hands. "No, sorry my Lady, but Lord Salmar has only returned to bed about twenty minutes ago. He got up an hour after you two got to bed and continued healing and sending. Please, can't you let him rest?" the nun said. Yuna stopped and was silent.
"He woke up an hour after falling asleep. How does he do it? I suppose we could let him sleep." Yuna said, but I had enough of pretending to sleep. I groaned and sat up.
"I suppose we should get going, right?" I asked while I was busy rubbing my eyes and yawning.
"Yes, I will leave you two to get ready. See you outside." Tidus said and left.
Yuna looked at me and said slightly annoyed: "You woke up and continued to work, without waking me. Why?"
I looked at her and said: "You looked so cute sleeping so I couldn't bear to wake you."
Yuna looked at me with a frown before we started to get ready to leave.
The departure was really funny, Yuna apologising to everyone, only to become slightly angry when they started teasing her for her bed hair. Auron even joined in and said: "Once Lady Yuna fixes her hair, we leave."
Needless to say we laughed at that.
The laughter died when we meet to Ronso that insulted Kimahri and told us about summoners disappearing. As they continued insulting, I grew impatient.
"Enough is enough. You will back away from Kimahri and leave this place now." I commanded, stepping forward. The two Ronso looked at me, recognised me and immediately left.
I started walking again right after that, wanting to see the Moonflow and its beauty.
There we found Belgemine again. She wanted to fight us again, and both I and Yuna accepted. Yuna fought Belgemine and her Ixon with Valefor, while I used Ifrit.
After we won, Belgemine stared at us.
"That was something special." She just said.
"What was so special about that?" Tidus asked. Belgemine looked at him before she replied.
"Their power increase. I have never met anyone who has increased their power so quickly. How did you do it?" she asked us.
"We trained hard. During the training we discovered a way to make our connection with the aeons much stronger, helping them become stronger as well." I said.
"How did you do it?" Belgemine asked.
"It's a secret." Yuna said playfully and Belgemine shook her head slightly.
"I see. Better hang on to that secret then. I'll see you later." With that she left us.
When we came to the Moonflow, Tidus didn't hold back his awe.
As he and the others stood by the riverbed, I walked a bit away to a spot into the forest I knew of. When I came onto the spot, I stared out across the Moonflow, seeing the beauty of the river, moonflowers, and the pyre flies. At a little rock outpost in the river, I sat down and began to sing on a song my mother taught me when she took me here.
"The river flows as it has always done,
Never slowing down, always flowing, washing away our sorrow.
Look at the flow and let it wash your soul, let it purge you clean.
Let the river aid you and make you resist the urge to scream.
The Moonflow, with its beautiful flowers, its colourful pyre flies, and its lazy flow.
The Moonflow, home to the moonflower and its purple petals.
Walk along the shore, feel the earth beneath your feet. Stop, sniff, listen, be at peace. Let the gentile sounds and smells drift over you, drowning you and making you resurface.
By the river, time slows down, so slow down with it.
The Moonflow, which takes our dismay, and turns it into beauty.
The Moonflow, which houses more than all the trees and fields.
The Moonflow, only rivalled by the stars.
The Moonflow, which we now shall cross.
Or we shall be at a loss."
I sang gently as I sat by the shore, and watched as the pyre flies flew by me. I smiled and thought back to the day mother had took me, and my little brother and sister here for their first time. My brother fell into the river and had to be rescued by the Hypello. Then I heard a twig snap behind me. Turning around I saw Yuna and Tidus standing there.
"That was a beautiful song Salmar. Where did you learn it?" Yuna asked, her eyes sparkling slightly.
"My mother taught me. She loved the Moonflow, mainly because she meet my father here." I said. Tidus smiled before he said: "I hate to bring you out of your daze, but we have to go now, or we will miss the shoopuf. Whatever that is."
I nodded and we went to ride the big beast. When we first saw it, Tidus nearly fell over with amazement. I chuckled at his reaction and went onboard.
Sitting in the basket was comfy, and I let my guard down and dozed off, watching the pyre flies flicker across the sky.
Yuna sat next to me, and apparently were watching me with curiosity on her face. 'What have I done now?' I thought before returning to my relaxed state.
After the group explained to Tidus why weapon machina are forbidden I frowned.
"Man, that's rough." Tidus said scratching his head.
"Foolish really. To build weapons of mass destruction. What good happens when the world is destroyed? Well, I guess we will see if we don't defeat Sin." I said, and Tidus was about to say something when the whole shoopuf shook. Auron told Yuna to sit down when she stood up, but before she could, some Al Bhed jumped into the basket and took her. Then I felt hands on my throat as well and was pulled out of the basket too.
"The Al Bhed" Wakka yelled, and he and Tidus jumped into the water.
I could see Yuna trapped inside a similar machina as I was. Tidus and Wakka swam towards her, and I was glad they focused on her.
"Please be okay Yuna." I said as I pressed my hands against the sphere surrounding me.
I watched as Wakka and Tidus delivered blow after blow on the machina, and saw it crumbling. Then I noticed my machina was slowly moving away from them.
"Oh, no you don't. I won't leave Yuna or my friends now." I said and crouched down and started hitting the floor of my cell with all my strength. Bone cracked, but I continued to hit and hit. 'Don't stop. The moment you stop, you won't be able to see her anymore.' I thought as I continued my merciless pounding of the sphere. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Yuna getting freed. Then I noticed how bad my hands where. Bones were sticking out of my knuckles. "Not good. Huh, why haven't I used my staff yet? Stupid, stupid, stupid." I said and reached for my staff. First I thought of pounding the sphere again, but then I realised I was in a machina, and they usually are weak against lightning. So I attacked using Thundara. The machina still functioned, and it took about nine more Thundara spells from me before I was released. Putting my staff back into its place, I started to swim. I surfaced and looked around for signs of the Shoopuf. 'There you are' I thought as I saw it and started swimming towards it.
"Wakka, Tidus. Stop. There he is." Lulu half yelled and pointed towards me. I felt tired and when I saw the Shoopuf lift me out of the water with its nose I smiled and tried to relax. It placed me next to Yuna in the basket. Lulu looked like she would faint at any moment. "Are you hurt?" she asked. I wasn't sure if she asked me or Yuna.
"No, I'm fine." Yuna said. Wakka started cursing the Al Bhed.
"Those sand blasted grease monkeys." Wakka said.
"Hey Wakka. There is no use cursing the Al Bhed now right? We just have to protect Yuna from any danger that's all." Tidus said. Wakka was about to reply when Kimahri saw my hands.
"Salmar. Your hands." Kimahri said. Everyone looked at me and I remembered what I had done to my hands. My hands where bloody and messy. Bone fragments where sticking out and I could finally feel the pain.
"Oh!" I just said. Yuna squeaked and grabbed my hands. I winched from the pain that shot up trough my arms.
"Sorry, but we have to fix these hands." Yuna said commandingly. She then began to administrate the healing spells. I suppressed a groan as I felt the bones slip into place again.
"There. All done." Yuna said and sat back again. I tried my hands and felt them completely healed again.
"Thank you Yuna." I said and flexed my hands happily.
"How did you do that?" Wakka asked.
"I tried to punch my way out. It didn't go so well and I remembered I had my staff with me. So I blew the machina apart and here I am." I said, a little embarrassed. The party laughed, mostly at me, while we continued on our journey.
Of course, when we came to the north bank of the Moonflow, Yuna and I were surrounded by people wanting to talk to us. After a long while, we got on our way. But not long after we left, we came over a girl lying on the shore.
"What? Poor girl." Lulu said. Both Tidus and I instantly recognised the girl. Tidus was happy while I was slightly worried, and a bit anxious.
As Tidus approached her, the girl got up and began to undress. All doubt was blown away from my mind. 'Yep. It's her. No doubt.' I thought.
"Wow, thought I was done for back there." She said as she took of her helmet.
"Rikku! How have you been?" Tidus asked.
"Terrible." Rikku replied and pointed an accusing finger at Tidus. "You beat me up." She said.
"What? That was you? But you attacked us." Tidus said.
"It's not what you think. I don't mean any harm." Rikku said. Tidus smiled and turned to us.
"Everyone, this is Rikku. She is the one who helped me before I came to Besaid. She is an Al Bhecough" Tidus tried coughing to stop saying Al Bhed. Wakka didn't notice though.
"So you owe her your life. Luck meeting here then. Praise be to Yevon." Wakka said and did the prayer. I rolled my eyes at the irony.
"Wakka, there is something we need to discus." Lulu said. Yuna nodded.
"Oh, discus away." Wakka said. I shook my head, and was glad Rikku hadn't noticed me yet as I stood with my back against her. It would be embarrassing and amusing when she did.
"Girl talk." Rikku said and the three girls walked slightly away.
After a while, Yuna, Rikku and Lulu walked over to Auron.
"Sir Auron, I would like Rikku to be my guardian." Yuna said. Auron walked up to the young Al Bhed girl and looked at her. She looked at the ground however.
"Look at me." Auron commanded.
"Oh, okay." Rikku said softly and looked up into the mans eyes. Auron nodded when he saw her eyes. They where emerald green with swirls in them.
"As I thought." Auron said.
"Um, no good?" Rikku asked shyly.
"Are you certain you want to be a guardian?" Auron asked.
"Yes. A hundred percent." Rikku replied smiling.
Auron nodded. "As long as Yuna wants it." He said. He started walking away but stopped.
'Oh, shit.' I thought.
"Although I have an idea. Why don't you become the guardian of our other summoner? As far as I know, he only has Tidus as his only guardian. Yuna has me and Kimahri while Wakka and Lulu are more both; at least that is my impression. That way we have an even spread of guardians and summoners." Auron said. Rikku looked confused.
"Other summoner?" she asked.
"Oh, that is a great idea. Don't you think Salmar?" Yuna asked, turning to me where I was standing a little of.
'Uh oh.'
"Salmar? Is that you?" Rikku asked. I turned around and nodded. "Hello Rikku." I said gently.
She looked at me and then to Yuna. "This is the same Salmar as the one that is called the greatest wandering guardian, right?" she asked. Yuna nodded and Rikku looked at me. I could see she recognised me before she ran over at me. She jumped and tackled me to the ground, hugging my chest real hard.
"Salmar! It's so good to see you again." She squealed happily. The others stared. 'What was going on?' They probably thought.
Now I had hit the ground pretty hard, and the force she hit me with knocked the air out of me.
Still I managed to gulp down some air before I patted her back and said: "Like wise Rikku. How long has it been?"
She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said: "Almost a year. We all thought you were dead. Everyone said the demon was gone and would never return. We even held a funeral for you."
I smiled sadly at her. "Well, it is almost true. I am no longer a wandering guardian. I am a summoner now. So you could say that to some people, I really did die. But you shouldn't since I am very much alive, but if I won't be allowed to breathe soon, I will be very dead."
She gasped and got up, helping me to my feet. I smiled at her and after regaining my breath I picked her up. She shrieked and giggled. Then I noticed the questioning looks from the others. 'And here comes the part I don't want' I thought.
"What?" I asked, sitting Rikku on my shoulders.
"What is going on?" Wakka asked.
"Oh, you mean us?" Rikku asked and giggled a bit. "We are good friends. I have known Salmar since I was a little girl." She said and patted my head.
"I may as well tell the whole story." I said and sat down. The others made themselves comfortable around us, while Rikku remained on my shoulders, although she removed my staff, looking at it weirdly.
"About a year after I became wandering guardian, I came upon a little family in the woods. I was six at the time, and Rikku was four. Her parents invited me and my Master, which I travelled with back then, to stay for dinner. We accepted and ate a wonderful meal. Me being only six and terribly lonely after my brother and sister vanished, began to play with Rikku. We became fast friends, and I showed her how to fight with claws, which I by the way see you still use. They aren't very good weapons you know." I said to the girl on my shoulders. She pouted and said. "They were a gift from a good friend."
I smiled at that and continued. "I and my Master decided to stay with the little family for a while, and we learned they were headed for Luca. We had met them in Macalania woods, so Master told me we should escort them to Luca. I off course agreed. We didn't move fast, and one day we stopped at a waterfall. As we sat up camp, we were attacked by two strong fiends. Our hosts didn't have any weapons with them, so I and my Master took up the fight. Rikku also wanted to join, but her father stopped her, luckily. One of the fiends charged us and Master and I tried to blast it away with fire waves. The fire was just blown away though, and I was almost crushed. The fiends began a systematic beating of the two of us. Then Rikku broke trough her dads grip and attacked the fiend attacking me. She was nearly grabbed by the fiend when I jumped in and pushed her away. I can remember seeing Master killing his fiend before the one who had me tried to break me. Then Master, Rikku and her parents got the one holding me to release me. But before I hit the ground, I saw the fiend hit Master away and go for Rikku again." I shuddered at the memory.
"Mom and Pop jumped in front of me, but the fiends hand never reached us." Rikku said. She took up from where I left.
"Salmar stood in front of us, his swords trough the hand of the fiend. He was so mad I could feel it. Salmar let go of his swords and started to hit the fiend, but without much effect. Salmar's master Shan came back and checked on us. Pop had a broken hand, Mom was bleeding slightly while I only had some small cuts and bruises. Then Shan turned to Salmar again and I remember all the colour from his face drained away. The fiend had Salmar in its hands again and started to squeeze. Salmar's screams as his bones were crushed still make me have nightmares. Even Shan seemed ill, and I passed out. Then next thing I remember was waking up and looking over to my side. There Salmar lay, all bandaged up, asleep."
"Master managed to save me before I died, but I was foolish really. To believe I could take that fiend down by myself, but I just couldn't let Rikku get hurt. But I couldn't fight for nearly three months. After that Rikku became really protective about me. When ever I was around, she would do her best to keep me safe, and when I was training she would stand there with a potion to fix me up afterwards. In a sense she was like a mother sometimes. I would try to visit as much as I could, but when Shan left and I had learned all I could learn from him, I travelled much more and I had less and less opportunity to visit." I finished while Rikku put her chin on top of my head.
Everyone smiled and Wakka said: "So, even Salmar had to be saved sometime. Good, I thought you were like immortal or something."
I laughed and Rikku giggled. "Oh, he gives that impression, but the truth is that Salmar was very near getting killed or insane a lot of times." She said and I frowned.
"No wonder though, with all the tings Salmar has seen. I don't want to know half the things that happened to him." Rikku added and Yuna looked questionably at me.
"So you have known each other for a long time? That is just perfect. Rikku already act like Salmar's guardian, so she would be perfect for the job." Auron said. I didn't see Rikku's face, but I imagine she was pouting.
"But I wanted to be Yunie's guardian." She said.
"Yunie?" Tidus asked, looking between Yuna and Rikku.
"Yuna is my cousin and that is my nickname for her." Rikku said. Tidus nodded smirking at that.
I looked up at Rikku and she looked down at me. "Rikku, if you are my guardian or Yuna's doesn't matter since we travel together. Auron is right; Tidus is the only one here who is my guardian. Wakka and Lulu are guardians for both me and Yuna, while Auron and Kimahri are Yuna's, but I imagine that even if I'm not under their protection neither Kimahri nor Auron would let me get hurt, and Tidus either for Yuna." I said. Rikku thought for a while before she nodded.
"Okay, I'll be your guardian then. Fulltime. This is going to be fun, right?" she said. I smiled and nodded. "Yep, sure is a long time since we travelled together last." I said.
"Then it's settled. Rikku is Salmar's guardian from now on." Yuna said happily. I shook my head and said: "I am still not comfortable about talking like you guys are some sort of property to me and Yuna. I guess it comes with the job though."
Lulu smiled. "Don't worry. We understand." She said. Wakka, Kimahri and Auron nodded. Tidus also didn't have anything to say.
"Well then, better get you sworn in young lady." I said to Rikku, who looked annoyed.
"I am only two years younger than you." She said crossing her arms.
We laughed at her then. It felt good to see her again, even though telling the story made me remember some rather unpleasant things.
We entered Guadosalam and were met by a Guado.
"Ah, Lady Yuna, we have been expecting you. This way." the Guado said and reached for Yuna's hand. Wakka grabbed him.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Wakka said. Kimahri prepared his lance while Tidus looked tense.
"Oh, I beg your pardon. I am Tromell Guado. I am in service of our leader, the great Seymour Guado. Lord Seymour has most important business with Lady Yuna." Tromell said. I raised an eyebrow at that.
"Business with me? What could that be?" Yuna asked more herself than any other.
"Come inside the manor, and all will be explained. Your friends are also welcome." Tromell said and walked towards the manor. We followed while I wondered what this business could be.
We were led into a room with lots of food. After a while of waiting, Tromell came and started talking about how good it was to have guests again. I didn't listen and was trying to suppress my irritation of having to wait here. A low growl escaped me and Kimahri looked at me. He was the only one who heard.
Finally Seymour came.
"Welcome." He said and I bowed in return.
"You wanted to see me?" Yuna asked hesitantly.
"Please, there is no rush. Rest and make yourselves at home." Seymour said. Auron apparently was as annoyed as I were.
"Please, keep this short. Yuna must rush." Auron said with an irritated edge to his voice.
"Pardon me. It has been such a long time since we had guests." Seymour said. "Lady Yuna, this way!"
We followed Seymour into a sphere that showed Zanarkand as it was before the war Sin was born from.
"The great and wonderful machina city of Zanarkand. She once lived in this city." Seymour said.
"She who?" Yuna asked.
"Yunalesca." I said as the sphere shifted and showed the first summoner to defeat Sin sit on her bed.
"She was the first person to defeat Sin, and you have inherited her name." Seymour said to Yuna.
"My father named me." Yuna said, looking down onto the ground.
"Your father entrusted you with a great task. He wanted you to defeat Sin like Yunalesca. But she did not defeat Sin alone. To defeat Sin, it took an unbreakable bond of love of the kind that binds two hearths together for eternity." Seymour said to Yuna as a man came walking up behind them. He was a vision from the sphere and I recognised him as Lady Yunalesca's lover.
Seymour then leaned in towards Yuna and whispered something to her. No one else except me and Kimahri heard. Seymour was proposing to Yuna.
Inside Salmar's head:
A calm, low fire flickered and reddened while dying slightly. I have grown more calm in my mind since I met Yuna and realised I felt something for her. The fire burning in me had slowed down and become calmer and not nearly as raging. Now however it was dying as my stomach clenched.
The reason I was called a demon, was not the same as I told my friends. Inside I have a fire. A fire burning along with my desires and emotions. Goals are fuel to that fire and it is power for me. When I was a wandering guardian, my fire was raging inside me like a forest fire after a long period of no rain. The fire does not harm me, but I can let it out and use its power in a fight. That is the reason I always wear fire patterned clothes, since I have a…fiery personality. That fire was first turning from its usual orange to red before becoming icy blue as I realised Yuna's reply. She would see, as I did, the advantages a marriage with a Maester would bring. There was no way I could compete with that.
The fire threatened to flare up again, but I held it down. 'No, can't do that. This will be bad enough for Yuna as it is, and me turning into the fire demon will not help.' I thought and calmed myself.
I opened my eyes and saw Yuna a bit frantic. She drank a glass of water and tried to calm herself.
"Wow, your face is beet red." Rikku said and Yuna tried to hide her face in her hands.
"Are you okay?" Tidus asked.
Yuna stammered before she said: "He…he asked me to marry him."
"Are you serious?" Tidus asked. Wakka looked over at me, but I had made sure my face was as blank as possible.
"You know what Yuna must do." Auron said simply.
"Of course. Lady Yuna, no, all summoners are charged with bringing peace to Spira. But this means more than just defeating Sin. She must ease the suffering of Spira. She must be a leader for Spira's people. I proposed to her as a Maester of Yevon." Seymour said.
'What? He does not love her? Argh, the bastard. Oh, damn. Calm down. Reduce.' I thought and commanded the fire back into a low flicker.
"Spira is no theatre. A moment's distraction does not change the overall situation." Auron said.
"Even so, the actors must play their parts." Seymour said. "There is no reason to answer right away. Please think it over." He continued.
"We will then. We leave." Auron said and began walking away.
"Lady Yuna, I await your favourable reply." Seymour said as we left. I still struggled with my fire when Seymour asked Auron: "Why are you still here Sir?" Auron glared at Seymour, who bowed.
"I beg your pardon. We Guado are keen to the scent of the Farplane." He continued, and Tidus sniffed Auron. I silently laughed and walked out.
Outside, Yuna sat while the rest stood around her. Lulu was talking about how good it would be for Spira to talk about Yuna and Seymour and not focus on death for once. I could feel the fire threatening to break my control, and Rikku noticed. She knew after all, and laid a calming hand on mine. Tidus asked if we could continue the pilgrimage.
"If my getting married would help Spira…if it would make people happy…if I could do that for people…maybe I should do what I can. I never imagined doing anything like this. But I won't answer till I know what is right." Yuna said.
"Well, you could always quit your pilgrimage and get married." Rikku said.
"No, I will go on. I am sure Lord Seymour will understand." Yuna replied. Rikku nodded sadly.
"Yuna, just make sure your decision is made for you, and not Spira. It is you who has to live in a marriage with Lord Seymour for the rest of your life if you accept, not Spira." I said. Yuna nodded and stood up.
"I am going to the Farplane to see father and talk about this." She said and we nodded, following her there.
Auron and Rikku remained outside the Farplane, Auron saying he do not belong there, and Rikku said she kept her memories inside.
As Tidus ran up the steps to reach the others, I walked up behind Rikku and ruffled her hair.
"I will not be long. See you soon, okay?" I gently said and she nodded.
Walking into the Farplane, I was assaulted by dead people. Some where my family members, all of the family except me, some where my war buddies while some where people I had killed. I could feel my friends eyes on me as the dead people gathered around me. I felt a head ache come and said: "I am sorry, but I can't stay long. I hope you all rest peacefully. Now I have to leave. I have a task to do and can't wait." I said as I rubbed my head. The dead looked at me and I smiled to them before turning and walking out of the Farplane.
"Where is he going?" Tidus asked Wakka. But Wakka was busy speaking with Chappu.
Tidus and Yuna talked on the Farplane when Lulu and Wakka came over and asked if they needed more time.
"No, I am ready." Yuna said and they walked out. They found Rikku with tears in her eyes and Auron looking grimmer than usual.
"What's wrong you two?" Tidus asked. Rikku looked at him and sniffed slightly.
"Salmar left. He said you and Rikku are Yuna's guardians now. He said he would finish his pilgrimage alone." Auron said gruffly.
"What? Why?" Yuna half yelled.
"He said his presence would make your decision much more difficult." Rikku said. Yuna looked down to the ground. Tidus looked at her and patted her back.
"Don't worry. Salmar is a strong guy. He can take care of himself." Tidus said and Wakka nodded.
"Yeah, he could beat us, ya?" Wakka said. Lulu kept silent.
Then Lord Jyscal Guado came out of the Farplane with a sphere in his hands. Yuna sent him and kept the sphere.
I had left the Farplane and picked Rikku up before hugging her.
"Hey, what is it Salmar?" Rikku asked when I set her down.
I looked at her and Auron and said: "I am leaving. My presence is only complicating things and makes this decision harder for Yuna. You and Tidus are Yuna's guardians now. Don't try and follow me. I will be fine on my own."
"Wh…what?" Rikku asked
"You are leaving because Lord Seymour asked Yuna to marry him?" Auron asked.
"I just realised I love Yuna and she knows that too. That alone makes it harder for her to chose. If I am here, I will constantly remind her of my love, and her decision will be hard as hell to make. To ease that, I will leave and travel alone. You can't stop me." I said and walked off.
"Take care, and don't worry. I'll be fine." I called over my shoulder. As I left I saw tears in Rikku's eyes. It hurt to know I was the one to create those tears, but it was too late to stop now.
I left Guadosalam shortly afterwards, after restocking with supplies. I put up a fast pace, and crossed the Thunder Plains in half the usual time. In the travel agency, I rented a room for the night. The Al Bhed was curious as to why I travelled alone, but I didn't tell them.
The next day, I left early and continued in the same fast pace. When I reached Macalania however, I slowed down, found a place in the woods to set camp, and began training. Fierce training. Twice as hard as the training I had with Yuna. 'This is the only way. If I defeat Sin before Yuna, then she can live on. Yes, there we have it. I will train hard and defeat Sin on my own.' I thought as I did push ups at a fast rate.
"Why did he have to leave?" Rikku said as another thunderbolt streaked across the sky, making the blonde Al Bhed shiver in fear. She had her own room, which didn't help to comfort her.
"I hate lightning." She said more to the weather than herself.
"Oh shit. Not again." I said as I scorched my camp. I had tried for the last five hours to use my fire without using emotions as fuel. It was difficult, and the fire was wild, but it was slowly working. I would get the hang of it if I worked on it enough. Then I would have the potential to get even stronger.
Those thoughts were the only comfort I had as I picked up the remains of my sleeping bag.
I sighed. "This is going to be a cold night. Or I could use my fire to keep me warm, but then I would be exhausted tomorrow. Oh well, better tired than cold." I said and found a place to lay down, letting fire envelop my body.
The next day, I woke up feeling like I had not slept at all. Having the fire out for any length of time was hard, and painful. But I discovered my body wasn't as hurting now as it usually was. 'That means the more I have the fire on, the better I get with it. Good, then I'll try having it on as much as possible without using my emotions as fuel.' I thought and was cowered in orange flames again.
I walked trough the forest, killing any fiend I passed and training as much as I could. The fire wasn't around me in a high degree, but it was constantly around me now. I could stop it, but since having it out was training, I continued to use it. Then, when I arrived at Macalania Lake, I turned the fire up a notch and kept warm that way, even though I left a trail of melted ice behind.
"Lord Salmar. A pleasure to have you here. Are you here to pray to the fayth?" Tromell asked me. I had arrived at Macalania temple and had been wished welcome by the Guado. Of course, my fire was back inside my body, now almost twice as big in flames and strength than before I left Guadosalam.
"Yes, I am here to pray. Could you show me the way to the temple?" I asked, hoping to leave as soon as possible.
"Of course, but afterwards, could your Lordship remain here a bit? Maester Seymour has left instruction in that he wants to see you when you are done praying." With that Tromell walked towards the temple and I followed. 'Wonder what he wants.' I thought.
After praying to the fayth and receiving the aeon Shiva, I went to see Seymour.
"Ah, Lord Salmar. There you are. I have been expecting you." Seymour said as I entered his office with Tromell behind me.
"Maester Seymour. May I ask what it is you want of me?" I asked as politely as I could.
"I just want to know why you have left your friends. Are you tired of them?" Seymour asked.
"No, not at all. Quite the opposite actually. I wish I could still travel with them." I replied.
"Then why don't you?" Seymour asked puzzled.
"I love Yuna and I would want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her. However, you asked her to marry you, and I know she struggled with that decision. I left to make it easier on her. My presence would have made her nervous and anxious. So I left. And I intend to defeat Sin before she has the chance, to ensure she lives." I explained. Seymour looked at me. "So, in a sense you are blaming me for leaving?" he asked
I shook my head. "No my lord. You have nothing to do with it. I could have stayed if I wanted, but didn't. I don't blame anyone." I said and Seymour nodded.
"Well I am sure your friends would be happy to hear how you are doing and if you are alright. Why don't you stay here until they get here?" he asked.
"No, I must be leaving. If I see them, I won't be able to leave. It is as simple as that, and I have chosen my path. If there is nothing else, I have to go now Maester." I said and Seymour nodded.
"Good luck." He said as I left.
I walked towards Macalania forest again when I saw some Al Bhed and some Machina attack Yuna and my other friends.
'Shit. I wasn't fast enough. How am I going to do this? I can't attack physically, since they won't let me leave again, I can't attack with magic since they aren't for some reason. Damn.' I thought but before I could do anything at all I was attacked by some Al Bhed myself.
"Okay, you are asking for it." I said and my fire flared. Blood red fire cowered my body and I charged the machina, melting it as I slammed my fists into it. When it was destroyed, I saw the Al Bhed run away. Then I heard a crash and saw that my friends had defeated their Machina as well.
'Got to leave' I thought as I hid as best I could. Hiding my fire I shivered. 'Damn this is cold. I hate cold.' I thought. Then I heard a rumble and saw that the ice on the Macalania Lake had vanished. "Oh crap." I said and rushed to the edge. I peered down into the hole and saw my friends down there. They seemed okay, and when they began to wander around I was sure they would make it. So I grudgingly left.
'Now I have to go to Bevelle, but something tells me I should stay in Macalania forest for a while, to train. The fiends here are quite strong and the forest is beautiful, so why not.' I thought and made my way into the dense forest.
Several days passed in the forest, almost two weeks actually. I trained from the sun woke me up to when I almost fell over in exhaustion. I don't know why I trained so hard, but it felt good. I didn't have to face my feelings and raging anger when I trained. Then I heard about Yuna getting married to Seymour. A group of travellers told me when they passed trough the forest.
'Why am I going to Bevelle now?' I thought as I walked towards the huge city. 'Probably because I am ready to move on now. I won't go to the ceremony, but straight to the fayth and then I'll leave.' I told myself sternly.
Bevelle was in celebration mode and I looked around in awe as I saw all the people cheering and buzzing with excitement. Many also greeted me, but some were sceptic to the dirty summoner. I had spent a lot of time in a forest and didn't look very presentable. So I went and got a room at a inn before I went to the temple and prayed to the fayth. The fayth were surprised that I were alone. The fayth of Bahamut knew I left Besaid together with Yuna but now I was here alone. When the fayth asked, I retold the story and the fayth in form of a little boy nodded. "I see, well if you believe you did the right thing by leaving them, then why are you filled with doubt and bad conscious?" the fayth asked. I looked down.
"I don't know, but I feel like something is going to happen and they will need me. Yuna will need me." I said sadly.
"Then I have a suggestion. Stick around for a bit and see if everything goes according to plan. I will give you my power and we will fight together, and when you are sure Yuna is safe you can leave and beat Sin." The fayth said. I nodded in reply.
"A good night's sleep would be good." I said and the fayth laughed lightly.
"Forest floors aren't the best sleeping grounds." He informed me. I could have sworn I saw a grin on the boy's face.
I rested in my room that night, knowing that the wedding was tomorrow. 'Am I doing the right thing by stopping here? Should I move on? No, Bahamut said I should watch to make sure nothing happened. But I will only protect Yuna, and the rest of our friends. Seymour will have to handle himself.' I debated with myself as I lay on my bed. Before I could go any further though, I fell asleep and slept until the sun woke me up.
Standing amongst the crowd, I watched as Seymour and Yuna walked towards the priest that was going to wed them. I felt my fire turn first red, then darken and turn black. It would have emerged and killed a lot of people around me if I hadn't learned to control the fire when I stayed in Macalania. Then I saw something come in the sky.
'That is Cid's airship.' I thought as I saw the ship coming closer and closer. 'What's going on? And where are Tidus, Rikku, Wakka, Lulu, Kimahri and Auron? Something is not right.'
I watched as they landed and rushed towards Seymour and Yuna. Tidus yelled something about Seymour being evil and killing his father. I watched as Seymour threw Tidus back, grabbed him and threatened to kill him if Yuna didn't go trough with the wedding. She responded by standing on the edge of the balcony we were on and telling Seymour to release her friends.
'Oh, damn. What am I going to do now then?' I thought as Seymour laughed.
"So, Lady Yuna. What will it matter if you died now? Then I could kill your friends anyway. And when you step away from the edge, I can kill them also." Seymour said cockily. Yuna looked torn. I decided I could help a bit but not reveal myself.
'Okay, focus on his hand. His hand. Now, burn!' I thought and glared at Seymour's hand, holding Tidus. I used magic to move some of my fire toward him. He didn't notice since I cowered the fire with magic to hide it, but when he felt the burning sensation in his hand, he yelped, let go of Tidus, who rolled down the stairs and he along with Wakka, Rikku, Lulu, Auron and Kimahri ran down the only way they could. Seymour was about to grab Yuna when she jumped. I nearly ran over and jumped after her, but then I saw she summon Valefor and I relaxed. 'She had a plan all the time. Good. Now to find the others.' I thought and ran after the fleeing guardians. I saw them run towards the temple and I decided to follow at a safe distance.
"What do you mean? Salmar was here yesterday?" Yuna asked the fayth.
"Yes he was. He was worried about you, so I told him to stay here in Bevelle. I think he watched the wedding. But from you look, I suspect it didn't go good." The fayth replied.
Yuna shook her head. "No, it didn't. I realised I can't marry Seymour. Not even for Spira's happiness. Even after Salmar left us, I can't stop thinking about him. If I am to marry someone, my hearth would not allow it to be any other than him." She said sadly.
The fayth smiled. "He did not leave because he wanted to. He felt his presence would make it harder for you, so he left to make things easier on you. He really was feeling guilty yesterday."
Yuna looked at the fayth curiously. "Then why didn't he help us today?"
"I don't know. Perhaps he did, but didn't show himself." The fayth replied.
Yuna thought about that for a while before leaving to be met by her friends again.
When they emerged from the temple, they were arrested and brought before the Maesters. I stood in the shadows and watched as Yuna had to defend herself against stupid accusations like treason against Yevon and shit like that. I could see the Maester from the Ronso looking sceptical at the accusations. 'What is Maester Mika doing? He has nothing to do here now that he is dead. An unsent ruling Spira. That is not right.' I thought as he and Seymour told their secrets about being unsent and ruling Spira since the living always made mistakes.
"Now, we will pass judgement on you." Mika said. I then stepped forward.
"Maester Mika!" I half yelled. My friends whirled around at the sound of my voice and their eyes widened.
'Salmar? He is here?' Yuna thought, looking at my determined face
'What has he been trough? His arms have more scars now than before, and his muscles are bigger.' Rikku thought eyeing my scared arms.
'He has returned. Hopefully Yuna will be happy now.' Wakka and Lulu thought.
'Finally. I thought I had to kick these bastard's asses alone.' Tidus thought and felt relived that I was back with the group.
'Good, perhaps he can talk some sense into the Maesters.' Auron thought as he waited for my action.
"Can I make a request?" I asked Mika and he nodded.
"Off course. Just let me finish this and I'll get right around to you my friend." Mika said and turned to look at Yuna again. I walked forward and positioned myself next to Yuna. She looked at me with wonder in her eyes, but I didn't look at her. I focused on Mika.
"Perhaps you didn't understand me, my… friend. I wish to make a request about my friends here." I said, and the way I said "my… friend" was not very sincere. I had lost a lot of my respect for him when I found out he was an unsent.
Mika looked at me and shook his head. "All right. What is it?" he asked.
"Release them. I know them and these accusations are preposterous. They would never do the things you say they have done. Yuna was even prepared to go into a unhappy marriage just to give Spira happiness." I said sternly. Mika chuckled and shook his head again.
"Even though she wanted to give Spira happiness, she drove you away and from what I hear made you go back into your nightmare. That is part of the reason I am so angry with Lady Yuna." Mika said. I looked at him, blinked a few times and laughed loudly. Everyone looked puzzled at me.
After a little while I managed to stop laughing. "You think I was born yesterday? Do not try to blame this on me or your desire to pay me back. This has nothing to do with that. You only wish to rid yourself of anyone who knows you are an unsent. This by now means you have to get rid of me too. So I will only say this once. Either let them go, or let them keep all their equipment and take on the Via Purifico." I said my voice turning from being filled with amusement to being so cold it sent shivers down everyone's spines.
"And what do you want me to do with you? Mika asked. He did not like this. He was indebted to me and could do little to stop my request.
I shrugged. "Let me leave too. I was on my way to Zanarkand when I saw my friends getting arrested." I said. Mika closed his eyes and said: "Salmar will receive the same punishment as the rest of these traitors."
My eyes widened a bit and some guards went to grab me. I looked at them and a wall of fire stopped them. When my gaze returned to my former friend, he looked a bit scared.
"How did you do that?" Seymour asked. I didn't reply. Mika lost patience.
"I sentence you all to be thrown in the Via Purifico. In there you will surely die a painful death." Mika said. Yuna and the others looked at him with scared looks while I remained blank.
"Mika, you have betrayed my trust. I won't forgive you." I said as the guards came and took us to the place we would get showed in, and without any delay, we were pushed in the Via Purifico, the dungeon where no one has escaped.
Down in the Via Purifico, I looked around to see if I found anyone. I saw something in front of me, but it was to dark to see properly.
'Is that a person?' I asked myself before I decided to use some fire to light the situation a bit.
A ball of fire erupted in my hand, lighting the dark room I was in. I saw the person in front of me lie on the ground. It was Lulu. I crouched beside her and gently shook her.
"Lulu, wake up!" I said softly. She stirred and opened her eyes. She looked at me and closed them again.
"Lulu, open your eyes. You can't lie here. Yuna needs you." I said. Lulu's eyes shot up. "Where is she?" she said and sat up so fast she knocked me back.
"I do not know. We were thrown into Via Purifico, so we have to find her and the rest and get out. If not, we will die here." I said and stood up, my fire still lit in my hand. Lulu didn't notice. Instead she looked accusingly at me.
"Why did you leave? Have you any idea how depressed Yuna and Rikku was after you left?" she said and I winced.
"No, I don't." I replied sadly.
"They were broken, and the rest of us weren't too happy either." Lulu said and pointed a finger at my chest. "You better have a good excuse" she growled.
"I do, although I won't exactly call it a good excuse though." I said a small sad smile on my face.
"You mean about how your presence would make things difficult for Yuna?" Lulu asked.
"Yes. I thought that with me gone, Yuna could make her decision without the same pressure." I replied, watching the ground. Lulu didn't reply but started walking away.
"Well, now you are back and when we find the others, we can talk about that. Let's go." She commanded. I didn't say anything other than follow her.
"There she is." I said as I spotted Yuna. Lulu, Auron and Kimahri rushed over to her, while I kept slightly in the background, which was hard, since I held the fire that illuminated the room. Lulu and I had found Auron and Kimahri shortly before we found Yuna.
"Yuna!" Lulu exclaimed as they reached her. She sat on the ground, scratched and bruised. She had apparently been trying to move around without light.
"How did you find me?" she asked before noticing me. I didn't meet her eyes. Instead I opted to stare at the ground.
Yuna stood up, walked over to me and smacked me straight across the face. From the shocked expressions around me I could tell that no one thought she would do that, Yuna included. She was staring at her hand. She looked at me and moved to smack me again, but fire erupted from my face. I looked at her sadly. I could have stooped the fire, but since she hit me I let the fire come to stop another hit.
I turned and started walking. "Come on. We have to get out of here. Oh, by the way." I said and threw a healing spell on Yuna, making all her wounds go away.
I walked ahead of our little group, but not far enough that I didn't light their way. Unfortunately I also heard what they said.
"Lulu, why is Salmar here? I thought he left us." Yuna asked suspiciously.
"I don't know. Don't you remember? He came and pleaded for us to Maester Mika." Lulu replied.
"I don't trust him. Did he leave and decided he needed our company after all, or does he want us to do something for him?" Yuna asked even more suspicion in her voice. When I heard that, I had to use all my self control to stop my fire from flaring. It turned dark red from anger and sadness.
"Yuna, he said he left so that you wouldn't feel so bad making your decision. I think he left because he cared. And there is no doubt that he could have chosen to stay away. He was the strongest wandering guardian ever, so he can take care of himself." Auron said, and the fire inside me settled down a little.
"Kimahri believe Salmar left because he wanted Yuna to be lighter at hearth. Kimahri also believe that was wrong decision, but Salmar cares for you. That is certain." Kimahri said and the fire settled down even more.
"All I know is that he came and tried to get the Maesters to release us and went so far as to get himself thrown down here." Lulu said.
"But…but he just left. How can you forgive him just like that?" Yuna asked confused. She wanted to forgive me, but also to be mad at me.
"Yuna that man chose to be thrown down here with you, and be labelled as an enemy of Yevon just because he cares. That is enough to earn him our trust." Auron said. Yuna went silent, deep in thought.
Suddenly a fiend attacked me. My emotions were already unsteady from Yuna not trusting me, Yuna being angry at me, me letting that happen. So when the fiend attacked me and threw me into a wall, I just let go. Before the others could come to help, I stood up shaking. My eyes burned from within and fire started to seep out of my body. The fiend attacked again, and I grabbed hold of its arm. Fire leapt from my body and started to incinerate the fiend. The fiend tried to get lose, but even after I let go, the fire remained and the fiend was reduced to ash.
After the pyre flies were gone, I slowly regained control. The fire diminished and I relaxed. I turned to my friends when I was sure no fire was apparent in my eyes.
"Shall we continue?" I asked and started walking again. I knew I had to say something to Yuna, but I had no idea what.
"What was that? Some black magic?" Yuna asked Lulu, but she was just as stunned.
"I think it has something to do with why he was called a demon." Auron said thoughtfully. Kimahri remained silent, but Yuna didn't. She ran up to me.
"What was that and why won't you walk with us?" she asked me, hands clenched in anger. I looked at her with sad eyes.
"Because I didn't think you would want me too. As for what that was, well, Auron was right." I said and continued walking.
"He heard. Then he heard all we said before." Yuna said as the others reached her.
"Salmar has good hearing." Kimahri said simply.
"I feel so bad." Yuna said and put her face in her hands.
"If you do, then tell him." Kimahri said. Yuna nodded and ran up to me again.
"Salmar, can you stop and look at me?" Yuna asked beside me. I stopped and turned to her, looking into those beautiful eyes. Eyes belonging to a kind and passionate person, who now was torn between feeling apologetic, angry, sad, happy and curious.
"I…you…why did you leave?" Yuna asked, anger apparent in her voice.
"I believed that would help you in your decision, and to be honest, I couldn't bear the thought of seeing you get married. I'm sorry." I said and bowed my head. I was about to turn away and continue walking when Yuna stopped me.
"You could have asked me first. I would have stopped you. You leaving only made things worse for me." She said and some tears ran down her cheeks. I looked at her in wonder.
"I'm sorry Yuna. I shouldn't have left. Please forgive me." I said and bowed again.
"It's okay. I understand your reason, not that I forgive you that easily though. You'll be making this up to us from here to Zanarkand, you hear?" Yuna said and smiled. I nodded and she gave me a hug.
"I'm sure glad that's over. Now perhaps Yuna will return to her ordinary self." Lulu said. Auron and Kimahri didn't say anything.
After a while, we encountered Isaaru. He was blocking our way to the exit.
"I am truly sorry, but you can't pass this point. I am here to make sure you don't." Isaaru said. He looked sad. But then he summoned his Ifrit. Yuna stepped forward and summoned her Shiva.
"Salmar, I am taking this battle." She said to me and I nodded.
I watched amazed as Yuna beat Ifrit and Isaaru's next summoning also.
"My, you have gotten stronger Yuna." I said. She was about to answer when Isaaru summoned Bahamut. Yuna was about to summon again but I stopped her.
"Let me fight this one." I said and she nodded. Walking towards Bahamut, my eyes started to burn again.
"The eyes are the window to the soul, they say. Well, look into my eyes and see my fire." I said and Isaaru shivered when he did. Then I summoned Shiva.
I had Shiva attack Bahamut with her most powerful ice spells, while I attacked with my most powerful fire spells. Bahamut managed to defeat Shiva, but by then it was almost dead. I jumped upon it's back and fire enveloped my hand. I raised it, said: "Good bye." And thrust the burning hand into Bahamut's back. The fire burning its way trough the aeon. After a little while, Bahamut was beaten.
Isaaru lay on the ground in front of me. "You were no match for Yuna, and no match for me. Let us go, or I will be forced to hurt you." I threatened. Isaaru gulped and made no move to stop us.
"What was that fire thing?" Yuna asked me. I looked at her, slightly anxious.
"What fire thing?" I asked innocently.
"Don't try to act unknowing. The way you beat Bahamut. How did you do that?" Lulu asked
I sighed as I prepared to explain.
"It is the reason, the true reason, why I am called a demon." I said sadly. When no reply came from my friends, I continued:"But I think I should wait to tell you until all of us are here. Right now three of us are missing."
Yuna nodded at that and fell back to talk with the others. I increased the fire so I could walk farther away from them. I did not want to hear what they said.
When we came out of the Via Purifico, we searched and found Tidus, Rikku and Wakka. They were soaked, but alive and happy.
"Yuna!" "Yunie!" Tidus and Rikku yelled as they ran up to us. Once again I felt out of place but that feeling went away when Rikku jumped up on me and hugged me.
"Don't you leave us again, you hear?" she practically yelled in my ear. I flinched and nodded before hugging her back.
"Well then, now we are all gathered again. Now, tell us about those flames." Auron said commandingly. Yuna, Lulu and Kimahri looked interested, while Tidus, Rikku and Wakka were confused.
"What flames?" Rikku asked.
"You mean you don't know? I thought you knew all there is to know about Salmar." Lulu said. Rikku shook her head.
"No, I only know some things. But nothing about flames." She said confused, looking into my eyes, still hugging me.
I hung my head, and closed my eyes. "Let's go sit down. They will send someone after us, and this will take a while." As I said that, I put Rikku down and walked towards the forest. There I lit a fire so that we could warm ourselves. "Please sit down." I said and gestured to the ground near the fire.
The entire company sat down and looked at me expectantly. I sighed and remained standing. Raising my hands I closed my eyes again.
'Here goes nothing' I thought and my hands were cowered in flames.
Tidus, Rikku and Wakka gasped when they saw the fire cowering my hands, but not burning me.
"This is the true reason why I am called a demon. I carry a special secret. Inside me is a fire directly connected to my soul, and this fire never runs out. It has never been extinguished. I can freely control it and make it cower any part of my body, and make it change in intensity. The fire corresponds to my emotions to a certain degree, and if I get really, really angry it can…overwhelm my control and make me like a fire in person. I can use this fire to launch fire attacks better than black magic. And any fire attack towards me is useless. But ice attacks are rather…nasty. I won't go so far as to say ice spells are my worst enemy, but I do not enjoy the cold.
The way I got named "Demon Salmar" is partly what I told you, but also partly because some bandits were trying to harm some innocent people once and I…became fire, killed most of them and chased the rest of them away. From that day I have been called a demon, even by the people I saved.
So there you have it. I was born with this fire within me, and have trained it all my life. Before I met you and became a summoner, I had to use my emotions to fuel the fire when I was going to use it to fight. Now I have learned how to use it without using my emotions as fuel. That makes me stronger than I was during my wandering guardian days." I explained and made the fire creep up higher upwards on my arms. Then when I finished explaining, I let the fire go out, and shivered a bit when the cold hit my arms.
Silence.
"So…you really are a demon?" Rikku asked hesitantly. I could see she was scared.
"No, I don't think so. My mother and I thought I had a fiend inside me, but after we asked High-summoner Braska to send the fiend inside me, and he found none, we started thinking I was a demon. But High-summoner Braska had a theory. He thought that my fire was a special ability that only I have, similar to the abilities of a aeon. How I have that fire is a mystery, but even if I am a demon, I have never hurt anyone that did not deserve it." I said and sat down by the fire. Absently I ran my hand trough the fire in a way that suggested I stroked a dog. The fire flowed after my hand like a puppy wanting to be scratched.
"So, why didn't you tell us earlier?" Tidus asked, mesmerised by the fire's movements.
"Look at Rikku. She is scared stiff of me now. I don't know whether I am a demon or not, and I don't want my friends scared of me because of it." I said, and Rikku jumped a little when I mentioned her.
Yuna stood up, and looked me in my eyes. "Do you trust me?" she asked. I nodded.
"Why should I trust you? You left when I needed you the most, and tell me you may be a demon. What reason do I have to trust you?" she asked. I could not see what kind of emotions she asked with, but I could read anger in her guardians' faces. Not at me, but at her.
"I have no reason as of why you should trust me, but I have never hurt you, and as I said, I left since I thought it would help your decision. Obviously I was wrong. Also I left because I felt jealous of Seymour and could not bear to see you with him." I said and looked down onto the ground. I then heard footsteps and saw Yuna stop in front of me. She sat down and looked into my eyes.
"Am I in danger now?" she asked. I nodded. Wakka and Tidus jumped up in case I would attack.
"From what?" Yuna asked.
"Bevelle and the Maesters. Sin and a lot of fiends. But if you think about from me, then no. I pose no threat towards you. I never want to harm the woman I…" I stopped myself before I went too far. Yuna apparently understood what I meant. She smiled and stoked my chin.
"Well then, I accept your apology. Welcome back to us, and don't you ever run from me again." She said and I nodded. Then she rose and started walking away. Turning, she beaconed for Tidus to follow her. Puzzled he did. I remained and talked a bit with my friends, who by some miracle forgave me right away, and Rikku apologised for being afraid of me.
"So Yuna, what did you want to talk to me about?" Tidus asked when Yuna stopped walking.
She turned to him with an apologetic look in her eyes.
"I apologize Tidus. I know you have feelings for me, but I…I think I love Salmar." She said, blushed and looked down on the ground. Tidus was surprised before he laughed and hugged Yuna.
"Hah, finally. I was wondering when you would realise that. That's one of the reasons I didn't like the idea of you married with Seymour. Salmar loves you too, and I think you two should be together. And don't worry about me. I can find someone else. True love can't be changed. That was something my mom taught me." Tidus said and hugged Yuna again.
Yuna smiled and hugged him back. "So, you think I should tell him?" she asked. Tidus nodded furiously. "Oh, it would be a crime to hold back on him. And besides, the sooner you tell him, the longer you two will have together." He said and Yuna smiled.
"Thank you." She said and they walked back, smiling.
"So, what were you two doing?" Lulu asked as Yuna and Tidus came back. They looked around.
"Where are Salmar and Wakka?" Yuna asked.
"Out gathering firewood. So…what's up?" Rikku asked. Tidus shrugged and said: "Yuna confessed to me that she loves Salmar. About damn time if you ask me."
Yuna stared at him and when Lulu, Kimahri and Auron began to chuckle and Rikku laughed openly, she became very confused. "What?" she asked.
"Yuna, you are as easy to read as an open book. We have known for a long time your heart belonged to Salmar. About time the young lady realised herself." Auron said.
"Yuna, I think you should go find him. Salmar good man, will take care off Yuna." Kimahri said and Yuna nodded. She ran into the forest in search for Salmar. She found Wakka first, and told him what she was about to do. He laughed and wished her good luck and showed her in the direction Salmar was.
Yuna entered a clearing with a pond in it. By the pond, I stood looking at my hand, which was cowered in flames again. "Am I a demon?" I asked to myself. I didn't know Yuna was there. Slowly I extended my hand and let the fire lose. It shoot out and a ball of fire hit the water, creating a small explosion and a lot of steam.
"I can't think of any other explanation." I said, again to my self.
Arms wrapped around my waist. "Then you are my demon." The person said. I recognised Yuna and turned.
"What did you say?" I asked puzzled at what she meant.
Yuna blushed and looked down for a moment before looking up again, and stared into my eyes.
"I…I…I think I love you Salmar." She said and bowed her head again. I was stunned. 'She loves me? The demon? But…she slapped me.'
"W…what? I thought you hated me. You did slap me after all." I said and Yuna looked ashamed.
"I'm sorry, but when you left I felt so horribly empty. I guess I was mad at you for making me feel like that." Yuna said and a tear fell down her face. I stroked it away.
"I love you too Yuna and I am sorry for making you feel empty. I won't do it again." I said and smiled at her. "But are you sure you want to be associated with the demon? I mean, a lot of people fear me, and I know you care a lot about Spira." I said and my smile faltered. It returned at full force however, when Yuna stood up on her toes and kissed me.
"I don't care. You are the man I love, demon or not, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life." Yuna said. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. It sounded like she proposed to me.
"Yuna, did you just propose to me?" I asked and smiled at the wild blush on her face. Slowly she nodded.
I smiled and lifted her in the air. "I would love to spend the rest of my life with you, my love." I said and kissed her. I could see she closed her eyes, and a soft moan came from her.
When we broke for air, she hugged me and laid her head on my chest.
"When should we get married then?" she asked. I thought for a moment before I got an idea.
"Why not in Zanarkand? I have been there, and it is really beautiful. More so than this forest." I said and gestured to the forest around us. Yuna thought for a moment before she nodded.
"Shall we go tell the others?" she asked and I nodded. Walking back together hand in hand, both of us felt good for the first time in a long while.
When we came back, the others smiled when they saw us.
"So, finished already?" Wakka asked. Yuna blushed madly and I laughed.
"Now, now Wakka. Hold you dirty thoughts to yourself." I said and we all laughed. Yuna then stepped forward, dragging me along with her.
"Everyone, we have an announcement." She said and everyone fell silent.
"As of ten minutes ago, Yuna and I are engaged. I would like to take the liberty and invite you all to our wedding, which will be in Zanarkand…when we get there." I said and both Yuna and I chuckled at the looks we got. Rikku and Lulu had stars in their eyes while Tidus and Wakka could have dusted off the ground with their chins. Kimahri and Auron smiled honestly.
Lulu were the first to recover, as she rushed over at us and gave both of us a huge hug.
"Yunie is getting married." Rikku chanted as she jumped up and down. "And this time it's not that creep Seymour." Tidus joined in.
"Well then, if this wedding is going to be rememerable, I think we should go and get Yuna some wedding dress." Lulu said and Yuna nodded furiously.
"We need to go to Bevelle first. We have to try and speak with Maester Mika again." Yuna said.
"I don't know. It will be dangerous." I said, but Tidus grabbed me in a headlock.
"Oh, don't worry. We have our own demon right here. And now you don't have to hold back since your secret is out." Tidus said. I smirked. "Oh really. Well then, as you wish." I said, and fire crept up my body, starting with my feet. Tidus saw this and quickly let go. Laughing, I let the fire go inside my body again.
Walking towards Bevelle was rather uneventful, Yuna and I walked hand in hand and occasionally she would rest her head on my shoulder. But when we came to the gates before Bevelle, everyone stiffened.
"Hello everyone." Seymour said smiling.
